Everyone loves the discounting period and the chance to pick up an end of season bargain, but with a huge selection
of offers available, finding that one great piece can be a nightmare. No one wants to trawl through endless pages of
products, which is why I've put together a small everyday capsule of outstanding items from some of The Rake's most
popular brands and my own personal favourites for work, rest and play.
Neapolitan brand De
Petrillo has been one of our star brands this season, for the simple reason that it hits the
triangulated sweet spot between style, quality and price. When putting together a look, I'll often start with a
jacket and build the rest of the look around it. In this case, De Petrillo's grey and blue wool and cashmere
windowpane check double-breasted blazer is a brilliantly versatile option for the guy who likes to mix and match his
separates. Seaward & Stern's
grey print scarf complements it perfectly, whether worn over a shirt and tie or a more casual knit. Given the muted
windowpane of the blazer, I'd be inclined to double up on the check effect with Grenfell's punchier VBC flannel wool Cavendish coat.
With one grey blazer in the wardrobe, I'd be inclined to also give it some company with a blue counterpart, this one
again by De Petrillo. Cordone
1956's white micro-stripe shirt will really let the blue of the blazer sing and can be dressed up with
a tie or worn open for a more modern look. With the navy and white juxtaposition doing all the heavy lifting, you
can afford to choose almost any colour of trouser, but if you want to play it safe, a pair of navy pleated trousers
will work nicely, especially when bookended by New & Lingwood's dark brown
calf leather double monks.
Richard James
is one of the very few Savile Row houses who has successfully transitioned from a tailoring business to a bona fide
fashion house. His sartorial heritage is still at the core of everything he does, including his elevated casualwear
which has kept in step with contemporary trends while at the same time honouring the Row's history. This dark olive
shearling blouson is one of my favourites of the season: elegant yet masculine and that olive hue is delightfully
easy to wear. I've gone for some white Japanese selvedge denim jeans by Barbanera to separate the look and
make the blouson the star, while on my feet it was always going to be a pair of Chelsea boots, in this instance
Doucal's brown
suede version to add another bit of textural interest.